LIVING ARTS BLOG
20th Anniversary Fund Update!
Across Metro Detroit, our Teaching Artists helped preschoolers get the skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and brought older students inspiring movement, songwriting, and animation experiences that gave them new ways to connect with their creativity and understand academic subjects like math and language arts.
Living Arts Presented with Spirit of Detroit Award!
On Thursday, October 17, Council Member Raquel Casteneda-Lopez stopped by the Ford Resource and Engagement Center (FREC-Mercado) to spend some time with the Living Arts community. As members of District 6 (Casteneda-Lopez’s constituency) the Council Member gave an update on upcoming changes in Southwest and answered questions from our families.
Reflections on our 20th Year
Due to a somewhat fortuitous structural issue in our office basement, the Living Arts team got to spend a few afternoons this spring going through decades-old organizational boxes in preparation for construction to begin. Together, we sifted through photos of youth from 1999, hand-written lesson plans integrating visual art and science, and teaching artist rosters of familiar names and folks gone by. We found “3rd Annual Showcase” posters, fundraising events that we’ve outgrown, old board meeting minutes, grant receipts from some of our longtime partners, and copies of very meager annual budgets. We laughed about some of the dated work and were left with great admiration of the people who have built this organization to where it is today. Living Arts is still a very clear and steadfast reflection of all the things we found — just a little bit bigger.
20th Anniversary Fund Update!
In the years ahead, Living Arts will accelerate and grow our impact by reaching 30,000 children and teens by 2030—with intensive, multi-session experiences in the arts that are delivered by skilled and experienced Teaching Artists.
Closing Out the Season: 20th Annual Student Showcase
On a moderate Sunday afternoon, families, friends, and supporters gathered at Cass Technical High School for the Living Arts 20th Annual Student Showcase. The program opened with Program Manager, Zack Bissell, who welcomed the audience and thanked the event’s supporters.
A culmination of the 2018-2019 season of programming through the Out-of-School Arts (OSA) program, Showcase featured a mix of dance, visual arts, video animation, and music composition. The program featured a special guest performance by Ballet Folkórico de Detroit and an intermission performance by Mariachi Femeníl de Detroit.
Celebrating 20 Years of Living Arts
Last Thursday April 11th, Living Arts celebrated a milestone 20th anniversary in the Crystal Ballroom of the historic Detroit Masonic Temple. Kicking off the evening with a step and repeat welcome, guests were invited to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the reception area and to explore the gallery of 20 years of Living Arts work. VIP guests were treated to swag bags filled with goodies from hand tie-dyed towels to chocolates from Bon Bon Bon, a private lounge area, and a tour of the Masonic Temple.
Art, Philanthropy, and Legacy: Talking with Ronald Cresswell (Cresswell Family Foundation)
We are beyond grateful for the support that we’ve received for our 20th anniversary. As part of our recent series on getting to know our sponsors, we recently did a quick Q&A with Ronald Cresswell, of the Cresswell Family Foundation. Mr. Cresswell and his wife, Sheila, have been long-time lovers of the arts, and have supported the arts through their foundation. Below is a transcript of our interview. Many thanks to the Cresswell Family Foundation for their continued support of Detroit arts and youth development!
Get to Know Before You Go: REVOK
Visual artist Jason “REVOK” Williams is turning his agreement with clothing retailing H&M into a $50,000 twentieth anniversary present for Living Arts. Williams’ gift will be used to launch a $100,000 fundraising initiative and set plans in motion to expand services and reach more than 30,000 Detroit-area children and teens by 2030.
Support for Detroit Arts Education: An Interview with Dr. Rita Fields
Valentine’s Day is not normally a holiday I celebrate. In my relationship, every day is a chance to show one another love and appreciation, so it’s not a an extra special time for us. But this year, I got the chance to spend some time talking with Dr. Rita Fields, SHRM-SCP. If you’re not familiar with Dr. Fields, get familiar.